Max watched the door thunder with the heavy blows from outside. The door shook on its hinges as dust filled the room. The rock in the wall where the iron hinges were attached began to crumble. The sound of splitting wood accompanied every blow. The rhythm was not rapid but steady. Bang. Bang. Bang.

Anita cast all her healing spells in a calm and methodical manner. Elderon cast the last of his Bonus and Protection spells, giving the party every possible benefit, Magical Shields, Protection from Evil, and he dropped a Strength spell on Jahrod although it only improved the mighty dwarf marginally. He gave Max a bonus to Agility which made Max slightly harder to hit. Elderon lastly cast a barrier on the door that held it firm as the hammering continued.

With the party prepared the best they could be, all they could do now was wait, wait for the door to collapse or for the Death Knight to lose interest and move off.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

It did not look as if the Death Knight was going anywhere soon.

“It’s me, isn’t it?” Max said.

Anita and Jahrod remained focused on the door, their weapons ready to meet the might that would soon come crashing through.

Elderon looked at Max and laid a hand on his shoulder and gave Max a gentle look, but he didn’t hold back the truth. “The darkness is drawn to you, Max. I think it is clear now. The death knight, the dark creatures, the Dark Whirlwind, they are all drawn to you. They want to take control of you to increase the power of the darkness. It is my belief that together, we can find a way to seal the dark portal once we know its location. I intend to accompany you there and help you seal the portal and save Eveirea.”

“Will you destroy me too?” Max asked.

Elderon watched at the door. “By the time we find the dark portal, I don’t believe I would be able to destroy you. The power will be within you to do good or ill. I hope you will choose to do good.”

Bang.

“But be in no doubt,” Elderon said. “The dark forces that are drawn to you only want to destroy you to increase the darkness.”

Bang!

“What of my father?” Princess Shree said. “He is good, there is still good in him. It is the dark advisor that came to the city recently that has corrupted him. I know if my father can be saved, we can all be saved.”

Janet appeared next to Max.

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“The darkness here is centered on the king,” Janet said.

Max looked at the door, his fingers toying with the grip on his shortsword still in its scabbard. It would be in his hand soon enough, he feared.

“The king is alone now,” Janet said.

“Where is he?” Max said.

“Who?” Princess Shree asked.

“The king? Where is he?”

Shree pointed up. “The throne room is directly above us, but it’s several floors up.” The door shook again, a hinge pin coming loose. Her voice quivered as she said to Max, “But there are no more secret stairways I can show you. The only way up is through that door.”

“Maybe not,” Max said. He looked at the small window. He opened it. He was only a few feet off the ground, the castle perched on a high mound in the middle of the city. If he fell, he would not fall far. He looked up. The stones were big and well locked together, a patchwork of stones of different sizes. The closer he got to the king, the more deadly the fall would be. He swapped his boots for the soft leather boots, hoping they would give him a better grip on the castle walls. Max climbed out onto the window ledge.

“I am going up, and if I can get to the king, I might be able to stop the Death Knight.”

“Don’t hurt him,” Shree said, pleading with Max, her big eyes damp with tears.

Max knew he could not make a promise. He had lied enough these last days, lied to Elderon about the Fireball. If he was to face a king corrupted by the darkness, it would not be good to start with deceit.

“I will not hurt him if I can help it,” Max said, and he climbed out of the window.

The stone walls were rough with only the slightest cavities here and there for him to grip. At least with the Agility bonus Elderon had cast on him, he was able to pick his way up the wall safely and quickly.

Max reached a wide window. The wind at this height was tugging at his loose trousers. He peered over the wide stone windowsill. At the end of a large empty chamber stood a pair of guards on either side of an ornately framed double door colored in silver and gold. Max was sure that was the entrance to the king’s chamber. He could Sneak there, but once he attempted to open that door, the guards would see him.

Max pushed the window and opened it just enough for him to slip through. He scurried to the side and hid behind a heavy tapestry hanging down the wall. He prepared his Sneak ability and began to Sneak toward the king’s private chamber.

Moving along the wall toward the king’s chamber, Max saw an open doorway on the side across from him. A corridor led away, and there were more guards standing along its length, their backs to the wall. Max recognized them, but he checked their stats. They were more Blackguards, tough enemies.

The guards at the king’s chamber door were simple Ralynn Guards armed with spears and simply clothed with only basic leather armor.

Max crept on, closer to the king’s door. Max got into position and drew his catapult. He loaded a basic bullet and took aim along the corridor.

The bullet flew out of the open doorway and down the corridor before hitting a wall and falling harmlessly to the floor. The guards at the door rushed to see what the sudden noise was.

With the guards away, Max slipped to the door and tried the handle. If this door was locked, he’d be done for. He couldn’t fight off half a dozen Ralynn Guards and four Blackguards on his own.

The door opened, and he stepped inside. He found himself in the king’s throne room and directly behind a single Ralynn Guard at the door.

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> Sneak ability deactivates.

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The guard spotted Max instantly. He turned and leveled his spear, the tip glinting in the light from the candles around the throne room.